Annette - The Metis Spy

And now we go back to Annette and Julie. Their horses soon took them

to the post, wherein Inspector Dicken had taken up his abode for the

nonce. They soon learnt that Captain Stephens and his friend had

been captured, and that both had been hurried off to the stronghold

of the rebel chief.

"Have any steps been taken for his rescue, monsieur?" Annette asked.

"None, I regret, have so far been practicable. I am detained on duty

here with twenty men; and expect an attack hourly. I would surrender

the fort and hasten to the rescue of my friend, but that the lives of

more than a hundred women and children here depend upon my remaining."

"And where, monsieur, are the nearest troops? Holy Mother of God!"

she exclaimed, "surely they will not permit le chef to put him to

death without making an effort to save him."

"Anything possible will be done, my brave lad. The nearest troops

are those of Colonel Denison. Here I will write you a note to the

Colonel. He is an officer whom I much admire. He is quick at

conceiving, and prompt and firmhanded in achievement. His force is

mounted and a few of his troopers thundering into the rebels' nest

would scatter them like rats."

"Speed, speed, monsieur," she cried, as she perceived the Inspector

pause to consider the terms in which he should address the Colonel.

"Let it be simply an introduction; and a mere statement that I have

rendered service to you and to your forces."

"So be it," he replied; and then rapidly pencilled the note, which

he put into her hand. A quick "Merci, merci," and the two were gone,

and speedily upon their horses' backs. They had not ridden far before

they espied a mounted party, evidently reconnoitering. Instead of

pursuing its course, the party, upon perceiving the two Indian boys,

turned their horses and rode towards the pair.

"Oh, Julie, I hope that they will not detain us. They judge, I

suppose, that we are enemies."

"But you can tell them that we are not, mademoiselle."

"Ah, Julie, the world is not as truthful and as free from guile as

you. They might not believe us. But I can at any rate show them the

Inspector's note."

"Who goes there?" shouted the officer of the approaching party.

"Friends, who want to see Colonel Denison immediately.

"Consider yourselves in my charge now," the officer said, fitting

very high and straight upon his horse.

"But will monsieur l'officier take us straightway to Colonel Denison?"

"In good time we shall see that officer," the starchy commander

replied.

"But, monsieur, I pray you to make haste. It is a matter of the

gravest importance that I should see him as speedily as possible. We

were riding at a mad pace before you joined us, as witness our

horses' flanks. This note I bear from Inspector Dicken to Colonel

Denison."